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Bubble Guppies, What the Fucky?

I don’t write TV reviews often. When I do, it’s because a show that my kids watch is either surprisingly good and speaks to me in some way or because it’s annoying as fuck. The only thing surprising about the Bubble Guppies is how little sense it makes. If you plan on commenting (OR EVEN THINKING) “who cares? It’s a kids’ show,” get out now. Leave. You’re not going to like this article. Try a different one. I know it’s a kids’ show. I know it doesn’t have to make sense. Maybe I’m expecting too much from children’s television. Or maybe I just want to write a snarky post about how much Bubble Guppies annoys me. Yes, it’s a kids’ show, but sometimes I have to watch the damn thing, too.

The titular Bubble Guppies are classmates in a school of fish. Haha. Get it? Well, they’re not actually fish, more like fish-people. They’re merkids with human torsos and heads, odd colored hair and big anime eyes, but cute little fishy bottoms. They have names, but I don’t really care what they are. Each of them is equally irritating, some more than others. (Trust me, that statement makes more sense than the show.) There’s also a fish with a dog head or a dog with a fish butt (I’m not sure the exact biological breakdown). His name is Bubble Puppy. It’s almost like he’s one of the Bubble Guppies, but not quite. Their teacher is just a regular old fish, Mr. Grouper.

But here’s the thing. The thing that pisses me off and I can’t get over. There is no reason for any of it. There is no point to them living under water or being weird fish-human hybrids. There is no point, other than marketing. I can just imagine the pitch: This isn’t like all those other educational(ish) shows with kids who can walk around and breath oxygen. In this show…wait for it…the kids have friggin’ fins, and well I guess also breath oxygen. I wasn’t sure. I had to Google it. Doesn’t really matter. Did you hear me? They’re part fish! But all the lessons are about stuff that happens on the land. It’s like the Bubble Guppies “want to be where the people are, they want to see want to see ’em dancing!” Or maybe I’m confusing them with someone else.

The Guppies learn about campfires. Underwater. They learn about farms. Underwater. They learn about ducks who live in ponds next to giant oak trees. Way the hell under the water! Why? If they’re going to be in the ocean, how about some aquatic lessons? Octanauts, another ocean-based children’s show, has issues of its own (like, what the hell is with the turnip?) but at least it attempts to teach kids about marine biology.

Seriously? Birds? Go fuck yourself, Bubble Guppies.

All of this is not to say there aren’t moments of drama in the show. Ah yes, I can recall one particularly dire situation when a cat got stuck in a tree. Firefighters were called to the scene to rescue the helpless kitty. Did I forget to mention that the cat had fins and could have swam out of the tree? Hopefully the Guppies remembered how to start that underwater campfire, to warm her up after that frightening ordeal.

There’s another aspect of the Bubble Guppies I find disturbing. This may sound crazy, but I think the show may be racist. In fact (for the sake of snark), I’m sure of it.

The Guppies, themselves, appear to be of different ethnicities, which is nice to see. The racism of the their world, however, is more insidious, pitting the elite merpeople against the rest of the subterranean creatures. Though the Guppies interact with fish and crustaceans of all sorts, they are higher on the proverbial food chain. Many fish hold down regular, good-paying jobs. They are firefighters, doctors, train engineers and, of course, teachers. Disconcertingly, professions seem to be based on species, as evidenced by an all-crab construction crew and an all-lobster police force. It’s possible that Mr. Grouper was forced into an academic career because he is a grouper (maybe every teacher is Mr. or Mrs. Grouper). A disturbing thought, but there’s more. He and the other fish must have had years of schooling (including higher education or, possibly, trade schools), but where are the fish students? Maybe it’s just a fluke (haha, fluke is a kind of fish!) of the Bubble Guppies’ school district, but I would expect one or two of Mr. Grouper’s students to look like him. But they’re not in his class or anywhere to be seen. I’m left to assume that fish are sent to different, segregated, schools. Apparently, fish are good enough to teach the precious Guppies and crustaceans can gratuitously rescue their merkittens from trees, but Cod forbid their children float at the desks next to the Guppies and go on underwater adventures to learn about life on land.

What time is it? It’s time for a sit in. Damn the merman, Mr. Grouper!

It’s entirely possible that I’m way off base and needlessly besmirching an amiable children’s program. Maybe, but I really don’t care. This show pisses me off. So please Tweet Nick Jr. and let them know that of all the things that don’t make sense in the world of the Bubble Guppies, segregation is definitely the worst.

90 Comments

Jennifer – there are people who’s opinions I value and respect who have defended this show. I don’t get it. I hope everyone who is irritated by the Bubble Guppies finds comfort here, knowing they are not alone. And I hope that people who hadn’t thought about it before get really annoyed now. Nothing would make me happier.

I recently convinced my daughter that there is a sixth Bubble Guppy named Tito that comes into the episode every time she leaves the room. This was for my amusement only. Also–those firefighters used a LADDER to rescue that fish-cat (catfish?) out of the underwater tree.

YES, thank you! I just recently started looking for quality shows to watch with my 1 year old girl and thought I’d give Bubble Guppies a try……NOPE!
My thoughts are exactly in line with yours; it’s the most pointless, non-sensical crap I’ve seen! I mean, even Sponge Bob makes sense compared to this junk.

Needless to say, it’s never getting turned on in our house again, and I’m guessing the same for you. Great post!

RC – exactly! Bikini Bottom plays with the fact that it’s under water. The writers made a set of rules and then they break them for comedic effect. In Bubble Guppies, THERE ARE NO RULES! I just can’t get over it.

You say that now, Roxanne. Maybe it’ll be this show or a different show that you will have no choice about. And you will have to watch every episode over and over and over again. We’ll see how much you love it then. We’ll see! ::maniacal laugh:: ::maniacal laugh::

this show is horrible and the books are worse, makes absolutely no sense why are there fountains underwater, who caressive the bridge collapses you are underwater and can swim and even if you hit the water below you’re a fish thing and can swim! seriously what the hell?!? the only reason i let my daughter rarely watch it or get the books from the library (which i refuse to read and make her read them herself) is to teach her how to question how things are portrayed in the media and to show how some things are created just generate cash, other than that this show was no value!

[…] my well-known hatred of Disney’s Sofia the First and the illogical idiocy of the Bubble Guppies, you might assume I have some vendetta against the cartoon Mickey Mouse. I’m don’t. I […]

DARLENE NIXON

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH WATCHING THE BUBBLE GUPPIES TODAY. I WATCHED THAT SHOW ALL OF THE TIME. THAT SHOW IS NOT A RACIST SHOW TO WATCH. IF YOU DONT WANT TI WATCH THE SHOW THAN DONT WATCH IT. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG EITH ALL OF THE SHOWS. BECAUSE I WATCH ALL OF THE SHOWS EVERY DAY. SO MY ADVICE TO YOU IS TO KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT ABOUT THE BUBBLE GUPPUES. THANK YOU. DARLENE NIXON

Thanks for checking out the blog! I hope some day you’ll come to love it as much as you love the Bubble Guppies. I know I have an uphill battle, but I’m confident that we will find common ground and you will learn to appreciate and, eventually, crave my comedy stylings. Keep on reading and commenting. Feedback on how to become a better blogger and person is always welcome.

It’s fun, happy, tuneful and involves not only racial variety but also includes a selection of different examples of personalities as well as a mildly autistic (possibly aspbergers) child who is NEVER treated with anything other than mutual respect and encouragement.

Another thing that you mentioned was why was there no other species in the class… Possibly because of developmental speeds of different species.

If the bubble guppies age at the same speed as human children then their ‘childhood’ would last a lot longer than that of fish, who are independent from birth.

It is a bit daft that it’s set underwater, but little kids want to watch similar programmes as their older siblings, since shows like h20 and mako mermaids are very popular these days it only makes sense to develop a preschool educational programme with merfolk in it.

That is the best, most reasoned argument for the Bubble Guppies I have ever heard. Some people just call me an asshole. So, thank you. I still can’t stand the show & I’m glad my kids don’t watch it anymore, but enjoy!

This has been an argument between me and my fiance since our daughter was born in September. Of all the shows on Nick Jr, this (and the monster machine one) is the one I loathe. For the very reasons that you have mentioned, and more (weather like snow and rain) and when they go out on boats.

Anyway, shows that I do like are wonder pets, little charmers, peppa pig and, of course, Paw Patrol (my favorite… we have actually recorded new episodes so that we don’t miss them).

As a first time parent we will put nickjr on for a few minutes just to keep the babies attention while we get stuff together. It seems like bubble guppies is always on. I’m hoping other kid shows aren’t as irratating as bubble guppies. Umbrellas underwater makes 0 sense. An underwater kickball game gets canceled because it rains?!?!?! The guppies than proceed to play in the rain puddles….

Brandon, I’m sorry to tell you, most kids shows are horrible and annoying and you will have to watch them over and over and over again. But your kids will grow out of them, and you will be able to push them towards cool shit (like superheroes and Star Wars) at least sometimes. Find the show or shows that annoy you the least and try to push for those. You probably won’t actually have any say in the matter. Good luck!

I’ve got to confess, I actually love Bubble Guppies, but I like it precisely because it’s so weird. It’s like an early intro to surrealism, and I can get on board with that. Still, your article is spot on. WTF is with all the land stuff? It’s so weird, it goes right on around the corner and into awesome!

Molly, that’s fair. I appreciate the underwater world of Sponge Bob. But there, they have rules and then break them for comedic effect. In the Guppy-verse it’s a free-for-all! It’s complete anarchy! I just can’t handle that.

I agree with the sentiment…..I don’t understand the whole premise of the show…..but my very least favorite part are the songs…..the theme song…..AHHHHHHH and the outside song…..my kids love it….makes me want to break stuff.

I fuckin love it!!! Personally, I like the guppies but I can’t deny contemplating the water vs land issues with the show…can’t say I noticed the segregation lmfao my daughter and I were in tears reading this “review” about my granbaby’s favorite TV program

Finally! Someone that feels the same way I do about this ridiculous show. It makes zero sense to have an underwater kids cartoon, when 90% of the subject matter is about land-based issues, with an occasional bubble or two, to remind you it’s taking place underwater. Why not just make it a Mer-Kid show and deal with underwater adventures and subjects?? It worked perfectly fine for the Little Mermaid, and these little creatures are even potentially cuter, with the opportunity to have some out of water adventures too! Just please, for the love of Cod, decide what you are Bubble Guppies!!!!!

The physics, or lack of in the show drive my husband and I nuts. In one episode they worry about a fish/horse hybrid running off a cliff with it’s mer-person rider. Seriously, just swim! Plus…how does it rain underwater and how to they drive cars and trucks? So many questions but our 20 month old loves it and the songs are catchy. Sadly, my husband and I know the Bubble Guppies songs better than what’s on the top 10 radio.

My son absolutely loves this show, but the thing that irritates me the most is that molly and gill are the stars of everything while the rest of them are pretty much background reminds me of “popular vs nerds” and I don’t like my child learning this nonnie never seems happy and deema is made to be a “dumb blonde” while goby is always a construction worker or dump truck driver it really makes my blood boil to know my son might pick up on this in a manner of thinking it isn’t cool to be smart and things such as this

You must be at stay at home mom alot of time on your hands to right this long post. Smh who cares maybe the concept of the show doesn’t make sense but the show itself is actually very educational. The shows I grew up on ie:Flintstones, Bugs bunny,etc none of those cartoons taught anything, at least this one is trying.

That’s my problem though. Not every show HAS to be educational. But I can’t think of very many GOOD shows on nowadays that are just funny. If they’re not educational, they’re dumb as hell. Shows back in the day were good. Glad my son likes them.

The problem with this crappy show is how much they bleed you dry for them, Pvr off the tv dosen’t give you mobility, cell phones and tablets do but you pay more than you would for a coke habbit to entertain you kid who 9 times out of 10 will watch it for 5 mins then toss the device to the floor and walk away. Hate you nickelodeon!

Poke so I’ve had all of the same thoughts… But I was wondering if it was supposed to also be some kind of simulacrum variety show? Yes, all of the underwater anomaly aside… What’s with the tank part in the beginnings the set pieces like the part where they work in a store, etc.? I have laughed about the caste system apparent within the species.. Actually my 11 year old son asked why the snails and crustaceans are always around to watch the merpeople act out their lives? Hilarious.

I’ve never thought about it as a variety show. And I had to look up what simulacrum meant. Luckily my kids are over it, so I haven’t thought too much about the Bubble Guppies lately. But I love how you found the article! I’ve written about a few other shows too. Most notably Sofia the First. Wow, I hated her! And a few that I liked and appreciated. Now, it’s pretty much all Pokemon all the time. I can’t even.

I know it doesn’t make logical sense and I don’t care to argue with adults about a kids show. I know the feeling of being annoyed by a show.. for me it’s the wiggles.. oh my fucking God.

my son only wants to watch bubbles guppies so consequently I do as well. perhaps I have seen more episodes than you which is why I just wanted to correct one of your critiques regarding higher education being solely reserved for the merkids. there is an episode where a little fish is starting his first day of school and they give him encouragement etc.

Hey Samantha! It’s funny, I’ve been forced to watch numerous shows as a parent. And once one of them starts annoying me, I find EVERYTHING about it annoying. I know a lot of people like the Bubble Guppies (you’re in good company), but I’m glad my kids are over it and I never got the the episode with the fish in school. Hopefully, I’ll never have to watch another episode again!

I’ve been trying to find an article like this. What’s with the trees underwater? A beach and ocean…Under the ocean? So Seriously, are they really underwater? Even SpongeBob makes it look like they’re underwater throughout the show in places. This show has sky and clouds. I agree. Wtf?!

Exactly. Sponge Bob also plays with the idea that they’re in the ocean; sometimes breaking it’s own “rules” but in a deliberate way. There are no rules in the world of the Guppies!!!! It’s infuriating.

Haha I see this on tv all the time but ky kids have a spongebob fetish and there is some weird american guy that says hunny boo boo all the time. Some weirdo scientist. I actually am so shocked at the state of kids tv nowadays. You should trry british kids tv cbeebies too… not fun! The sad thing is as a parent when these shows r on tv we end up learning the bloody lyrics of the songs!!!

My kids went thru a Peppa Pig phase. That’s British, right? Or do they just have the accents? These days there are a couple weird shows that they like that are actually pretty funny – one called Steven Universe is the latest obsession. But mostly it’s all Pokemon all the time. I can’t friggin stand Pokemon.

I feel the same way…it makes no sense they live in the water are half human half fish and use electronics…birds fly…they grow vegetables…all underwater..wth! I can be live the impossible example, like superman can fly but not the improbable….example bubble guppies.

Perhaps Mr. Grouper runs a kids psych ward & all of the merkids suffer from the delusion that they live on land. Mr. Grouper indulges their whims so as not to mess with their constructed reality. It also passes the time.

Just kidding. All I know is that my kid loves this show & I cannot watch it. I enjoy the songs, but I saw the episode where Molly’s kitty is stuck in the tree & I was literally yelling ‘just swim up there & get your cat!’ And if Gil’s hair gets wet one more time I’m gonna scream.

I like the show (sort of) but i cannot figure out why Molly, Gill, Goby, Deema, oona, and Nonny (had to look that up) are the only mermaids apart from their parents, and that popstar. stylie, was it?. everyone else is a lobster, a crab or a fish of some kind. or a mermaid puppy… the shows not bad, but every time i watch it that part bugs me

Hi Dave, just found your blog after you guessed it – Googl’ing how stupid Bubble Guppies is. As a father of 2 1/2 year old and one in the oven, I constantly fight my cynicism of the world so my kids will be able to enjoy SOMEthing in their childhood. It’s tough, as I’m an analyst by trade. But since we’re venting – what the fucking fuck? The Egypt episode really put me over the edge, but particularly because at some point the focus shifted to what things there are to do on a CRUISE SHIP in ANCIENT EGYPT. I still have yet to see a single episode devoted to actually focusing on a subject and teaching some kind of lesson/more/goal from start to finish. The whole show is built on ridiculous fucking tangents, let alone completely ignoring the point of being under the sea in the first place. If you’re going to propose something so ridiculous, at least fucking teach the kids something.

Important to note however, I don’t believe in idle whining though and I plan to send a “strongly worded letter” to Nickelodeon. I hope the rest of your readers will do the same. Great blog – I look forward to following it more in the coming months and thank you for what you do.

Hey George! Glad you happened upon the blog. As with my post ranting against Sofia the First, this subject is a little out of date for me. Luckily, my kids are over it. Unluckily, they’ve found other inane shit to watch. I’d write something about Pokemon but the whole world is so baffling with so many characters I can’t remember that I just tend to tune out. Anyway, good luck with Nickelodeon!

This is hilarious. I literally googled “bubble guppies weird” to see if anyone else also thought this show made absolutely NO sense! I struck gold here. I thought I must be overreacting and my hatred of the show must be irrational. But here I am and I am so happy right now. This show makes no sense. It is quite literally THE WORST! I’m always confused by the weird problems they face… I mean you’re under water sooooo you’re already wet. And news flash you can swim. Literally everywhere because YOU’RE UNDERWATER and that’s how it works! The whole thing is just strange. I can’t handle it. I am now confused if it’s the show that’s bad or the fact I took time out of my day to go on a rant about how much I hate it. Hmm?

Well, I just watched them sign a fish’s cast… wonders never cease.
I did question the segregation as well, but my big question is where are the parents or any adult mer-people? I was operating under an assumption Mr. Grouper was running a bubble guppies orphanage, but then Molly had a baby sister, at the hospital, but we still never see her mom. Which is weird since I think they are mammals…
Are they some kind of protected endangered species in this world and this segregated for safety????

Hallelujah! I knew I couldn’t be alone in my frustrations about this show. My friend said her son loved it so I started watching with my 1 year old. The episode where Gil Guppy gets stuck in a tree and the lobster firemen have to come rescue him is what first disconcerted me. I kept thinking, “Just swim, Gil. Swim!!” I also find that there aren’t many fish other than Mr. Grouper at all. Most are crustaceans and other bottom dwellers. Not sure what that means; just an observation. Anyway, thanks for the great post!

I can’t properly express how happy I am to have found this article. Sure, I’m fairly late, but I finally decided to google “are bubble guppies underwater” and here I am. This drives me crazy more than any other nonsensical parts of the show. There are water reflections on all structure surfaces, but seemingly no water and everyone is still swimming (unless it’s inconvenient for the story). Also… WHERE ARE THE OTHER MERFOLK?! There are adults and young sea life all over town, but not a single merperson (maybe I missed them somewhere).

I have to watch every single episode, on repeat, every day until my sister is done with her bubble guppy phase. I’m watching it right now, even. I know what some are thinking, “just change the channel!”, but let me explain… My sister is severely developmentally disabled. When she likes something, she obsesses over it. She is violently in love with this show and all hell breaks loose if she can’t watch it at home. She’s amazing, fun and the biggest sweetheart… she just goes through show/movie phases. Last year she only watched the movie Chicken Little! Trust me, it’s good for the growth of her verbal skills to watch stuff over and over. After a whole year, she can now say the word “fish”. She’s 25.

Anyways, I do love the songs because they’re upbeat, educational and repetitive. My sister has trouble forming words, but she’s very musical and hearing her sing along and finally form “guppies” really lifts my heart. She goes through so many facial expressions due to the shows (sickening) over-exaggeration of the merkids’ emotions. I really hate how they slapped together this strange landsea universe, but for kids and adults who are unable to recognize or process the difference between realism and whatever the heck bubble guppies are… it’s perfect. She doesn’t understand that the entire show, aside from the educational bit, is total bs. So, while I feel like I’m going to rip my hair out if I hear whats-his-face get spooked in the beginning of the episode one more time, I do believe this is a wonderfully whimsical and stimulating show for those who are not fully developed yet (or haven’t had their imagination completely obliterated by science).

Maybe it was meant to be that way? I mean, they do have a bubble guppy who displays signs of autism (which is cool, you don’t see that kind of support in kids shows). It’s completely absurd to an adult because we learn and see the world differently now, but to a child and/or differently abled person, this show is incredibly stimulating. That “Outside!” song makes her go absolutely bonkers with excitement for the whole 2 seconds they sing it. It’s cute.

I still hate it, but I’m also glad that there’s something out there that’s helping my sister grow and learn. Besides, I’d better enjoy this phase while it lasts. I’m dreading the tween drama on Disney and Nick… and oh gosh… the utter garbage that is Uncle Grandpa or that weird pickle and peanut show. Like what the actual flux is happening to kid shows? It’s like the trashy part of the web and internet memes invaded television. Not only that, but they’re dumbing down originals that have already run their course and bringing them back in a really obnoxious fashion (I’m talking to you, Teen Titans Go). Did you see what Disney did to the old Mickey Mouse cartoons and how awful they made Duck Tales?! It breaks my heart. I dunno… Maybe I’ve been taking Bubble Guppies for granted.

Maybe I’ll try to get my sister into the stuff I watched when I was little. I mean, it was the age of puppets and awesome giant costumes with sensical lessons and fantasy worlds that actually worked. Puzzle Place, Eureeka’s Castle, Bear In The Big Blue House, Fraggle Rock, Muppets, Totts TV, Lunette and her Big Comfy Couch, Lamb Chop, etc… Those were magical. They seem a little slow paced now compared to these hyperactive cartoons though.

Hey Tameka! Glad your sister is getting something out of the show. Just like with my kids, I have to grin and bear it (actually they’re over it now, but it lasted a long time). Shows like this aren’t made for us. Obviously they’re hitting their intended audience. But as long as we’re forced to sit thru it, we may as well overanalyze the hell out of it and make ourselves laugh!

Funny, I was randomly thinking about Fraggle Rock the other day and how fucked up it was that the Fraggles always ate the Doozers buildings. When I was a kid I probably just thought it was funny, now I’m like “those Doozers worked really hard on that, prick!”

My 3yo has to watch it every night before bed. In fact, I am watching it as we speak. How does a campfire work underwater and what type of DNA splicing is taking place. Its an abomination.

Dont get me started on Paw Patrol….the Mayor is corrupt who diverts all town resources for her own benefit. Also, a fucken chicken as deputy Mayor. I smell a coverup. I am calling for an independent enquiry or at least a Senate inquiry.